Great Speeches

by Abraham Lincoln

Book Overview

For someone who claimed he had been educated by "littles" -- a little now and a little then -- Abraham Lincoln displayed a remarkable facility in his use of the written word. The simple yet memorable eloquence of his speeches, proclamations and personal correspondence is recorded here in a representative collection of 16 documents.
This volume contains, complete and unabridged, the Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486268721
• ISBN13: 9780486268729
• Release Date: November 1991
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.2" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 11 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 6 and higher

Customer Reviews

A must have for Lincoln readers and speech teachers.

This is the easiest and briefest way to be introduced to the speeches of Lincoln. Great resource for teachers and students. I do, however, dare anyone today to try to read these speeches aloud (which was how they were delivered). Our poor understanding of the power of words and layered meanings makes reading Lincoln's speeches a challenge for anyone.

His greatness humbles and uplifts us

There is something so moving , and even humbling about reading the words of Lincoln. He is a politician of his time, and yet is above his time. He is a leader of the nation in the war to preserve the Union, yet he is compassionate and understanding of the defeated foe. He is a human being of great sympathy. And his words at Gettysburg are the most moving and profound statement made by an American about the essential meaning of the United States itself. His greatness humbles and uplifts us. This volume contains the essential words of the one who most Americans believe the greatest American of them all.

Excellent selection of speeches...

I find it amazing to read these speeches, considering that I've heard some of them a few times (performed by actors). They come across just as powerully written as they do orally.What's even more amazing is that Lincoln worked hard to educate himself, and his writing reflects someone who is in love with the usage and power of words, language, and meaning.His style is somewhat outdated (punctuation usage has changed, and the odd capitalization of nouns is a holdover from possibly the Germanic influence on English) but never stilted or boring.And, the Gettysburg Address is still eloquent (and powerful) after all of this time.

"Great Speeches" is great!

This is a wonderful collection of Lincolns most famous speeches. His "farwell to Springfield" speech, Gettysburg address and annual messages to Congress all collected in one book. Great Speeches would make an excellent reading assignment for U.S. history class.